Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Community

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Continuum of Care has announced the availability of two grant opportunities through the California Department of Housing and Community Development Emergency Solutions Grant, or ESG, Program.

These Balance of State ESG funds are available in two grants:

· a $123,969 Formula Allocation Grant for Rapid Rehousing Programs only; and

· a $123,969 Regional Competition Grant for Emergency Shelter or Rapid Rehousing programs.

Agencies applying must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, government agency including housing authority, or a state or federally recognized tribe/tribal entity that serves those struggling with homelessness or at-risk of becoming homeless in Lake County.

Agencies may apply for both grant opportunities; however, the programs must meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, definition of Rapid Rehousing or Emergency Shelter.

Local applicants must meet the 100% match funding requirements outlined in the ESG NOFA for the full grant allotment, which can be found here.

The Lake County Continuum of Care will make recommendations to Housing and Community Development, or HCD, for both grants. Recommended applicants will then apply online and contract directly with HCD for funding.

In making funding recommendations to HCD, Lake County Continuum of Care shall use a process which is:

· Fair and open and avoids conflicts of interest in project selection, implementation, and the administration of funds;

· Considers selection criteria reasonably consistent with the criteria used by the department in section 8407;

· Complies with the requirements of sections 8408 and 8409;

· Incorporates reasonable performance standards as set forth in the Action Plan based on HUD requirements and guidance. If the applicant has not implemented the proposed activity or similar activity within the past three years, the Continuum of Care shall work with the funded applicant to ensure it meets reasonable performance standards specified in the action plan in the contract year;

· Complies with federal ESG requirements; and

· Considers any other practices promoted or required by HUD.

For more information and a BoS application and governing board resolution template, visit this website.

Applications must be received by the LCCoC no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Monday, Sept. 27.

Applications should be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A funding panel consisting of Lake County Continuum of Care Grants Selection Committee volunteers shall decide which two applications will be submitted to HCD by Friday, Oct. 8. Appeals will be due by Oct. 15, 2021. Following that, applicants will be able to submit applications online via HCD’s website.

The Lake County Continuum of Care is a HUD-designated organization that promotes communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provides funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promotes access to and effects utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimizes self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Technical assistance is available. For more information, contact Scott Abbott on behalf of Lake County Continuum of Care, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-274-9101.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s team of meteorologists are forecasting stormy and windy weather this weekend in parts of Northern California.

PG&E is prepared and has a plan to address any outage the storm system may cause and reminds customers to take the necessary steps to be prepared and stay safe.

An early season weather system is forecasted to move across Northern California Saturday morning and into Sunday resulting in rain and breezy/gusty winds. Slight thunderstorm risk across Sacramento Valley Sunday morning is also possible.

“This storm has the potential to cause power outages due to rain and gusty winds. We’re urging our customers to have a plan to keep themselves and their families safe. Our meteorology team is closely tracking the dynamic weather conditions and are working with our operations teams in the field to ensure we’re ready to restore outages safely and as quickly as possible,” said PG&E principal meteorologist Scott Strenfel.

In addition, PG&E is prepared for the possibility of flashovers, a phenomenon that occurs with the first light rain or mist after the summer that can lead to pole fires and outages.

PG&E’s meteorology team has developed a Storm Outage Prediction Model that incorporates real-time weather forecasts, coupled with 30-years of historical storm data and system knowledge to accurately show where and when storm impacts will be most severe.

This model enables the company to pre-stage crews and equipment as storms approach to enable rapid response to outages.

Storm safety tips

— Never touch downed wires: If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 9-1-1 and by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.

— Use generators safely: Customers with standby electric generators should make sure they are properly installed by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews working on power lines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.

— Use flashlights, not candles: During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not candles, due to the risk of fire. And keep extra batteries on hand. If you must use candles, please keep them away from drapes, lampshades, animals and small children. Do not leave candles unattended.

— Have a backup phone: If you have a telephone system that requires electricity to work, such as a cordless phone or answering machine, plan to have a standard telephone or cellular phone ready as a backup. Having a portable charging device helps to keep your cell phone running.

— Have fresh drinking water, ice: Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer during an outage to prevent foods from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also works well in the freezer.

— Secure outdoor furniture: Deck furniture, lightweight yard structures and decorative lawn items should be secured as they can be blown by high winds and damage overhead power lines and property.

— Turn off appliances: If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.

— Safely clean up: After the storm has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 8-1-1 or visit www.811express.com at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.

Other tips can be found at www.pge.com/beprepared.

LUCERNE, Calif. — As the drought intensifies, local water utility California Water Service is helping customers save water every day through expanded water conservation programs and educational resources.

These programs and resources include newly launched lawn-to-garden and spray-to-drip rebates, which offer incentives for Cal Water customers to make their landscaping and irrigation systems as efficient as possible.

Cal Water’s lawn-to-garden program offers a rebate of $3 per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with low-water-use landscaping.

The spray-to-drip program provides a rebate of $0.50 per square foot of landscaping converted from a standard spray irrigation system to a drip system, as drip irrigation uses 20 to 50 percent less water compared to sprinklers.

“We partnered with Lucerne customers and businesses to achieve impressive water savings during the last drought,” said Tavis Beynon, interim district manager. “Now, we are offering even more support for Redwood Valley customers to reduce their water use as we face increasingly serious drought conditions.”

These incentives are in addition to Cal Water’s existing industry-leading conservation programs to help save water every day, including:

· Rebates on high-efficiency appliances and devices, with certain rebates recently doubled

· A smart landscape tuneup program that includes an irrigation system evaluation along with installation of efficient devices and repair of most irrigation leaks at no cost to customers

· A free conservation kit that includes a garden hose nozzle with shut-off valve, high-efficiency shower heads, faucet aerators and more for residential customers

Additionally, Cal Water encourages customers to follow its easy do's and don’ts of water conservation.

DO:

· Check for broken sprinkler heads and hidden leaks once per month;

· Install a smart irrigation controller that automatically adjusts to weather conditions;

· Check if your lawn is thirsty before watering;

· Repair leaks within five days of notification.

DON’T:

· Use water on outdoor landscaping that causes runoff onto adjacent properties or paved areas.

· Use a hose to wash vehicles unless the hose has a shut-off nozzle or similar device.

· Irrigate outdoors between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., unless local ordinances state otherwise.

· Use water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where part of a recirculating system.

Cal Water is here to help customers save water every day. Program details and additional information can be found on www.calwater.com/conservation.

The utility will continue to monitor conditions in Lucerne and implement any additional actions based on ongoing supply and demand assessments, according to Beynon.

Cal Water’s Redwood Valley District serves approximately 3,200 people through 1,900 service connections in Lucerne, Duncans Mills, Guerneville, Dillon Beach, and a portion of Santa Rosa area and about 2 million people through 492,600 service connections in California. The utility has provided water service in the area since 2000. Additional information may be obtained online at www.calwater.com.

Hospice Services of Lake County Bereavement Services Manager Kathleen Bradley (right) prepares for the upcoming eight-week grief and loss support group with volunteer Linda Whitley. Photo courtesy of Hospice Services of Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Hospice Services of Lake County is beginning another series of meetings to help adults who have experienced the death of a loved one, either recently or in the past.

Recognizing there is not just a single way through grief, Hospice Services’ bereavement program will present “The Journey of Grief,” a free, educational series.

The grief and loss group will meet once a week for eight weeks starting Sept. 23.

Hospice Services invites interested individuals to attend either in person from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the bereavement center in Lakeport or through Zoom from 5 to 7 p.m. the same day. Assistance in the use of Zoom will be provided to enrolled participants.

In-person participants are encouraged to wear masks during the meetings to reduce the spread of COVID.

To register for the group meetings or obtain additional information, call Kathleen Bradley at 707-263-6222, Extension 123, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Group sessions are structured with combined instruction and discussion in a safe environment, facilitated by Bereavement Services Manager Kathleen Bradley and retired Pastor Margaret Flick.

“In our world today, we are being challenged by losses of all kinds. In addition to these, many of us are trying to also navigate grief due to the death of a loved one. In our groups, we companion and support each other as we attempt to find our footing and a new normal,” said Bradley. “During the weekly group sessions, education will be provided about grief, mourning, and what is ‘normal’ as well as support toward healing.”

Weekly topics are presented in a meaningful sequence, so attendance at all sessions is essential. Examples of topics covered in groups include setting intentions to heal, dispelling misconceptions about grief, exploring personal feelings of loss, seeking resolution, and self-care.

Hospice Services reminds individuals they do not have to navigate grief and loss alone.

“Often, when we lose a loved one, we don’t know where to turn for emotional support,” said Bradley. “Additionally, during these uncertain times, Lake County residents are coping with multiple losses and stress related to natural disasters and COVID-19, topped off by the sense of isolation as we refrain from our normal social rituals. The ‘Journey of Grief’ sessions are designed to help individuals through the loss.”

Hospice Services of Lake County provides high quality medical, emotional and spiritual care to help patients and their families navigate their end-of-life journeys.

For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County, 707-263-6222. Visit the organization’s website at www.lakecountyhospice.org.

Janine Smith-Citron is director of development for Hospice Services of Lake County.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Public Works Department issued an update about the upcoming construction projects affecting the lakefront public parking lots, the Fifth Street boat ramp and a portion of North Main Street.

The boat and trailer parking areas between Third Street and the Fifth Street ramp will be upgraded with new paving and drainage facilities.

This work begins on Monday, Sept. 20, and will continue through the end of next week.

Parking will be available to the north at the site of the future Lakefront Park, formerly known as the Natural High property.

The Fifth Street boat ramp will remain open, but ramp access will be subject to delays due to the construction work.

On Sunday, Sept. 26, beginning at 8 p.m., and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday, Sept. 27. North Main Street between First and Fifth streets will be closed with a detour provided.

Fourth and Fifth streets will be closed from North Main Street to the parking areas near the lake. The Fifth Street boat ramp and all lakefront parking lots will also be closed.

The department said it will issue its next construction update before additional work scheduled for Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 begins.

Please contact the Public Works office at 707-263-3578 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif.‌‌ ‌‌ — ‌ ‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Grinding Operation from Road 305D to Route 29 South will continue. Moving traffic controls will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Highway construction near Saratoga Springs Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Grinding operation from Bachelor Valley to Route 29 South will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Rokstad Power has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work at Grove Street will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Rokstad Power has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Fourth Street to Country Club Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Rokstad Power has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work at Country Club Drive will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Striping operation from North Fork Cache Creek to Walker Ridge Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

— Highway construction from North Fork Cache Creek to Colusa County Line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight weekdays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Construction from Route 281 to Private Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work at the Hill Road East Overcrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 175

— Construction from Mendocino County Line to 0.5 miles east of Mendocino County Line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree work from Private Road to North Limits Elk will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Little River to Road 500A will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Slide removal two miles west of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Highway construction east of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Electrical work will continue at Blosser Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Guardrail repair at the Junction 20/101 East Fork Russian River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal from Comminsky Station Road to Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Northbound Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Rosetti Creek to Mountain House Road will continue. Southbound lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing will continue. Northbound and Southbound lane closures will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Emergency bridge repairs at the North State Undercrossing Bridge will continue. There will be a full closure of the Northbound onramp overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

— Work south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Grinding and paving operations at the Truck Scales will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor delays.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

— Emergency bridge repairs at the Irvine Lodge Rest Area Northbound will continue. One-way traffic will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Bridge work at the Long Valley Creek Bridge will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Paving work from Spyrock Road to the Empire Camp Rest Area - Northbound will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

Highway 271

— Bridge work at Scandia will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists can expect minor delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— work near Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Emergency work at Last Chance Grade will continue. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays at all hours.

— Shoulder improvements in Crescent City from Front Street to Ninth Street will continue. Lane restrictions will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work in the Smith River area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Work at the Hiouchi Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Work at the Mary Adam Peacock Bridge near Gasquet will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Work at Middle Fork Smith River Bridge 1 16 east of Idlewild will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Electrical work at the Collier Tunnel Rest Area will continue until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17. The rest area will be closed until then. Motorists should use an alternate rest area.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 284 near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 293 in Bridgeville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Wall work near the McClellan Mountain Summit will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Pavement work in the Weitchpec area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Bridge work east of Orleans will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. A northbound onramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Maintenance at the South Fork Road Undercrossing southbound offramp will continue. A full closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should use an alternate route when necessary.

— Pavement work from north of the Safford Road Undercrossing to the 36 interchange will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. Ramps will be intermittently closed. Motorists should use an alternate route when necessary.

— Construction from the Hookton Road Overcrossing to 14th Street in Eureka will continue. Lane and ramp closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns and use alternate ramps when necessary.

— Pavement and utility work from Myrtle Avenue to Cole and Jacobs Avenue in Eureka will continue. A southbound lane restriction will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Pavement and barrier work from the Arcata Overhead Bridge to the 200 junction south of McKinleyville will continue. Lane and ramp closures will be in effect in both directions from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Barrier work near Clam Beach will occur on Friday, Sept. 17. A southbound lane closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

Highway 211

— Work at the Salt River Bridge between Fernbridge and Ferndale will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 254

— A special event north of Myers Flat will occur on Sunday, Sept. 19. A closure will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motorists should use an alternate route.

Highway 255

— Utility work near Manila will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Bridge work at the 200 or North Bank Road junction will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction near Chezem Road will continue through Friday, September 17. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Construction and fire response from the Willow Creek area to east of the Trinity County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

LCNews

Responsible local journalism on the shores of Clear Lake.

 

Memberships: